Hello from Lynda:

I thank God for the Mayo Clinic and the opportunity I have of being treated at this fine facility. With these skilled doctors doing the work and God doing the healing, how can I lose?

As you've learned, the first order of treatment is a double mastectomy. They tried to get me to surgery sooner, but it seems that Nov. 3rd will be my surgery date. As a result of the wait, I'm home resting. This week I have doctor appointments on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. These appointments are not directly related to my cancer so I plan to reschedule them tomorrow. John and I plan to start back to Mayo's on Saturday.

I can already see that cancer is a family affair and I ask you to pray for my wonderful family. They have put their activities on hold in order to help me. We are so thankful for our special son-in-law, Eric, who drove us to and from the Mayo Clinic. We will ever be grateful for his kindness and patience as he tried to teach the country people how to act in the big city. As soon as we arrived, we decided to eat before the restaurants closed. The waitress said, "The men sound fine but where did you come from? You sound like you're from the south." I guess I needed a speech lesson before I left Carmi.

On the second day, Eric allowed us to venture out on our own. Here are some things we learned. The first lessons were about the elevators. You have to put your room key card in the elevator before you push the floor number. Don't panic if it doesn't work - you can just ride up and down, up and down. Someone will finally get on (who knows how to use their card) and push the button to your floor. Those elevators had a lot of options. We were coming down from an appointment and started reading the down options. One option said 'Subway'. I'm always thinking about food and wondered how that restaurant got its own button on the elevator. About that time John said, "Don't push that button. I don't know how to ride the Subway." The next day someone told us we could walk in this beautiful underground tunnel. We pushed 'Subway' and only had to walk a short distance to our room. (Amazing!)

We had a beautiful room at the Kahler Hotel. I immediately noticed large fancy bottles of water with fancy little tags on them. John said, "Don't drink the water. It says $2.50 on the tag. The water part is true (maybe I'm exaggerating a little now)......When we started to check out, John noticed they had charged us for the water. John said, "How can you charge us for water? We didn't open it?" The manager said, "It's not my fault you didn't drink it. It was there in the room." John picked up the bill and subtracted $150 from it. The manager said, "What are you doing?" John said, "I'm charging you $50 a day for kissing my wife." The manager said, "I didn't kiss your wife." John replied, "That's not my fault. She was there in the room." So much for my nonsense.....

I want to thank all of you for your love and support. Your prayers are appreciated more than you can imagine. The prayers, cards, scripture, and words of comfort lift me up, renew my faith, and give me the determination to win this battle. We love you!! Lynda & John

Answered Prayers!

We just received great news!  After a full day of testing yesterday, Dr. Stan reported to mom today that though her cancer is invasive and aggressive, it is not nearly as aggressive as the initial pathology report from Evansville indicated.  A lot of questions simply can’t be answered until after surgery.  They are on their way home this afternoon.  Mom and dad will have to return to Mayo on Tuesday (October 27^th) and will remain there for two weeks.  Her double mastectomy is now scheduled for Tuesday, November 3^rd.  We feel blessed for this great news and answer to our prayers!! 

 

Amy L. Dixon, Ed. D.

Principal/Director of Instruction

Jefferson Attendance Center

713 Fourth Street

Carmi, IL 62821

Ph.  618.382.7016

Fax 618.382.7512

Tests, Tests and More Tests

Mom said to report that she is doing great, but dad and Eric are struggling (that's my mom)! Mom had a long day of tests. They started at 7:30 this morning and ended around 3:30 this afternoon. She will undergo further testing in the morning (Thursday). At this point, it doesn't look like her double mastectomy will be moved up (still no available surgeon until November 2nd). Of the six surgeons that perform this surgery, two are on vacation. She has a consultation with Dr. Daniela Stan at 11:00 tomorrow morning and depending on what she says, they may be able to come home for a few days. (I'm thankful that mom, dad and Eric all like and trust Dr. Stan). Mom will have to return to the Mayo Clinic next week because she meets with a specialist in gastroenterology, gynecology and fibromyalgia next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dad and Eric continue to be amazed and impressed as they explore the area. Continue praying and she enjoys reading your comments!!

First Day at Mayo's

The first day at Mayo Clinic was very productive. Mom found out that she will indeed be having a double mastectomy. The scheduled date at this time is Nov. 2; however, they are going to do the surgery as soon as there is an available operating room and surgeon. Her cell phone has become the dedicated Mayo Clinic Line, so they have asked that no one else calls that number.

Tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. she will start another battery of tests. They will be checking her colon, uterus, and her fibromyalgia. Basically, she will be checked from head to toe. She also has tests scheduled for Thursday as well.

At this point they were not able to give an exact stage of the cancer. The doctor informed Mom that they would not be for sure of the stage or if the cancer has spread until they do the surgery. They also told her at the time of surgery they may have to remove some lymph nodes. The doctor said her best guess is that the cancer is in stage 2, which is very hopeful news.

Mom's spirits were high, as they always are, and she was very comfortable and impressed with the doctor overseeing her treatment.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers and comments.

Isaiah 41:1010
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009- Good News!

Good News! Mom will have her first appointment at Mayo at 11:00 this morning. However, early this morning her doctor from Evansville called with good news. He said there are several polyps on the lining of her uterus, but he believes they are benign. They will need to be removed at a later date.

Still Waiting

They arrived at Mayo safely! We were supposed to have the results of the lining of the uterus today, but are still waiting. Hopefully tomorrow...

October 18, Sunday

I can't express enough how much we appreciate all of the calls, visits, cards and prayers. Mom has been overwhelmed by the love and concern that has been expressed. Her faith remains strong. She kept her speaking engagement at McHenry this morning. Mom had a biopsy of the uterus on Friday. She will get the results tomorrow (Monday). I will update everyone as soon as the doctor calls. Dad, mom and Eric plan on leaving early tomorrow morning for Mayo. Pray for safe travel and good news!

Lynda Bryant

This blog has been set-up to keep family and friends updated on Lynda Bryant's Health. For those of you who are unaware, Lynda was diagnosed with breast cancer Monday, October 12, 2009.

Her son-in-law Eric Dixon, her husband John and Lynda will be leaving next week for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Lynda is scheduled to check-in on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 and begin testing the same day.

Lynda's Daughter Amy, will be updating this blog when new information is available. It is with Lynda's faith in God, her family and her friends that she will fight this battle.

Please keep Lynda in your prayers, and feel free to share this blog information with all those who know and care for this amazing, giving and beautiful Christian woman!

God Bless,

Melissa Crow

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3)

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)